What is a Voluntary Family Plan?

A Voluntary Family Plan (VFP) allows families to work with their extended families and other community supports to identify and address concerns so that they may better care for their children.

The objective of VFP is to use community resources to address issues before child safety concerns arise. VFP also assists vulnerable families to access services necessary to address identified concerns and increase family strengths.

If you are unsure which meeting type would work best for the individual or family you are working with, please reach out to intake@siws.ca for further guidance.

Who Requests a Voluntary Family Plan?

MCFD, Delegated Aboriginal Agencies, community service providers, community members and individuals/families can make a referral for SIWS for Voluntary Family Planning.

Would you like to create Voluntary Family Plan?

What is Involved?

The SIWS Collaborative Facilitator is a neutral coordinator / facilitator who will:

  • Identify and support family, community members, and professionals to participate in the VFP process.
  • Identify specific community and cultural resources that may benefit the planning process.
  • Facilitate a “family driven” collaborative meeting with participants to develop a Voluntary Family Plan that everyone agrees to.
  • Access services necessary to achieve the goals in the plan.
  • Support monitoring and implementation of the plan.

What are the outcomes?

The outcomes of the Voluntary Family Plan are:

  • A Voluntary Family Plan document describes goals, action steps, and timeframes to address issues identified by participants.
  • More families that voluntarily identify and address issues before a child safety concern arises, thereby reducing the need for MCFD or Delegated Agency Child Protection Social Workers to become involved.
  • Improved family strengths and resilience for the care of children, resulting in a reduction in children removed from their families and community.

Have a Referral?

If you know an individual or family who you feel could benefit from these services, please complete a referral form. For any questions, please contact us at:

  • Youth Referral   WORD  |  PDF
  • Family Referral   WORD  |  PDF
  • Support Worker Referral   WORD  |  PDF
  • Elder & Cultural Support Referral   WORD  |  PDF
  • Lifelong Connections Worker Referral   WORD  |  PDF